Austrocortinarius australiensis

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Austrocortinarius australiensis
Cortinarius australiensisLNCP3.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Cortinariaceae
Genus: Austrocortinarius
Species:
A. australiensis
Binomial name
Austrocortinarius australiensis
(Cleland & Cheel) Liimat. & Niskanen (2022)
Synonyms [1]
  • Rozites australiensisCleland & Cheel (1918)
  • Locellina australiensis(Cleland & Cheel) Cleland (1924)
  • Cortinarius australiensis (Cleland & Cheel) Horak (1981)
Cortinarius australiensis
Information icon.svg
Gills icon.png Gills on hymenium
Convex cap icon.svg Cap is convex
Adnate gills icon2.svg Hymenium is adnate
Cortina stipe icon.png Stipe has a cortina
Transparent spore print icon.svg
 Spore print is brown
Mycorrhizal fungus.svgEcology is mycorrhizal
Mycomorphbox Question.pngEdibility is unknown

Austrocortinarius australiensis, commonly known as the skirt webcap, is a species of mushroom in the family Cortinariaceae [2] which is native to Australia and New Zealand. The white mushrooms appear in autumn and can grow very large, with their caps reaching 30 cm (12 in) in diameter.

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by John Burton Cleland and Edwin Cheel in 1918 as Rozites australiensis. [3] Cleland later (1924) placed it in Locellina, [4] a now-defunct genus that has since been folded into Cortinarius . [5] Egon Horak transferred the species to Cortinarius in 1981, giving it the binomial by which it is now known. [6]

Classified in Cortinarius subgenus Phlegmacium, this was the type species of series Australiensium as defined by Bruno Gasparini in 2006. This is a grouping of related Southern Hemisphere species characterized by an abundant universal veil, medium to large and pale fruitbodies, and ellipsoid to amygdaliform (almond-shaped) spores. [7] It is commonly known as the skirt webcap. [8]

In 2022 the species was transferred from Cortinarius to the novel genus Austrocortinarius based on genomic data. [9] As of January 2023 the genus Austrocortinarius contains only the two species Austrocortinarius australiensis and Austrocortinarius victoriaensis. [10]

Description

Immature mushroom covered in cortina Cortinarius australiensisLNCP1.jpg
Immature mushroom covered in cortina

The fruitbodies of this fungus have convex to flattened caps with diameters typically in the range 5 to 7.5 cm (2.0 to 3.0 in), [11] although specimens up to 30 cm (12 in) have been noted. [12] There is no discernible odour. [3] The cap colour is whitish with brown tints, and ragged fragments of the partial veil often remain attached to the cap margin. The stipe is bulbous, with dimensions of 15 cm (5.9 in) long and 3.7–6.2 cm (1.5–2.4 in), although it is often much smaller than this. The gills on the cap underside have an initially adnate attachment to the stipe and pale straw colour; later, the gill attachment becomes sinuate to nearly free, and colour deepens to rusty brown as the spores mature. [11] The gills can be up to 1 cm (0.4 in) deep. [12] Remnants of a ring often persist on the stipe until maturity, as well as bits of the universal veil that once enclosed the immature mushroom. [11] The ring is often stained dark brown from the spores falling from the gills. [12] The ellipsoid to almond-shaped spores measure 10–13 by 5.4–6.9  μm, [11] and turn yellowish brown in KOH. Western Australian specimens have slightly larger spores, averaging 11.1 by 5.9 μm. [12]

The edibility of this mushroom is unknown, and it should be avoided, as some of its close relatives contain lethal toxins. Young fruitbodies of A. australiensis can resemble those of Amanita ovoidea . [7] A. australiensis can be mistaken for the similar-looking dumpy webcap ( Cortinarius sublargus ), though the latter species is generally smaller, lacks the prominent ring and generally only grows in recently burnt areas. [8]

Habitat and distribution

Austrocortinarius australiensis has been recorded from New South Wales, and Mount Lofty Ranges, Kuitpo and Ashton in South Australia. [13] It has been recorded from the wet forests of Tasmania, but is rare there. [14] The fungus is mycorrhizal with eucalypts. [15] Large clumps of fruitbodies appear in eucalypt forests between April and July. [16] A. australiensis has the largest mushrooms of any species native to Jarrah forests of southwestern Australia, and they are often eaten by native mammals. [17] The mushroom also occurs in New Zealand, where it grows with Leptospermum . [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Cortinarius</i> Genus of mushrooms

Cortinarius is a globally distributed genus of mushrooms in the family Cortinariaceae. It is suspected to be the largest genus of agarics, containing over 2,000 widespread species. A common feature among all species in the genus Cortinarius is that young specimens have a cortina (veil) between the cap and the stem, hence the name, meaning curtained. Most of the fibres of the cortina are ephemeral and will leave no trace once gone, except for limited remnants on the stem or cap edge in some species. All have a rusty brown spore print. The common names cortinar and webcap refer to members of the genus. Due to dangerous toxicity of several species and the fact that it is difficult to distinguish between various species of the genus, non-expert consumption of mushrooms from the genus is discouraged.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cortinariaceae</span> Family of mushrooms

The Cortinariaceae are a large family of gilled mushrooms found worldwide, containing over 2100 species. The family takes its name from its largest genus, the varied species of the genus Cortinarius. Many genera formerly in the Cortinariaceae have been placed in various other families, including Hymenogastraceae, Inocybaceae and Bolbitiaceae.

<i>Phlegmacium ponderosum</i> Species of fungus

Phlegmacium ponderosum, also known as the Ponderous Cortinarius, is a species of mushroom producing fungus in the family Cortinariaceae. It is very large and due to its thick stem it can be mistaken for Boletus edulis.

<i>Cortinarius caperatus</i> Species of fungus

Cortinarius caperatus is an edible mushroom of the genus Cortinarius found in northern regions of Europe and North America. It was known as Rozites caperata for many years before genetic studies revealed that it belonged to the genus Cortinarius. The fruit bodies appear in autumn in coniferous and beech woods as well as heathlands in late summer and autumn. The ochre-coloured cap is up to 10 cm (4 in) across and has a fibrous surface. The clay-colored gills are attached to the stipe under the cap, and the stipe is whitish with a whitish ring. The Latin specific name, caperatus, means wrinkled, and refers to the distinctive texture of the cap. The flesh has a mild smell and flavor.

<i>Cortinarius mucosus</i> Species of mushroom

Cortinarius mucosus, commonly known as the orange webcap or the slimy cortinarius, is a species of mushroom in the family Cortinariaceae. In North America, the species is more commonly associated with northern coniferous forests. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin word mucosus, meaning mucus.

<i>Phlegmacium triumphans</i> Species of fungus

Phlegmacium triumphans, also known as the birch webcap, or yellow girdled webcap is a basidiomycete mushroom in the family Cortinariaceae. It is found in Europe and regarded as edible by some authorities, although others call it suspect and it resembles inedible species.

<i>Cortinarius rotundisporus</i> Species of fungus

Cortinarius rotundisporus, also known as the elegant blue webcap, is a basidiomycete mushroom of the genus Cortinarius found in southern Australia, where it is found in eucalypt forests and rainforests. The cap of the fruit body is a steely blue colour, with a yellowish boss, and paler similarly coloured stipe.

<i>Cortinarius archeri</i> Species of fungus

Cortinarius archeri is a species of mushroom in the genus Cortinarius native to Australia. The distinctive mushrooms have bright purple caps that glisten with slime, and appear in autumn in eucalypt forests.

<i>Thaxterogaster purpurascens</i> Species of fungus

Thaxterogaster purpurascens is a species of mushroom producing fungus in the family Cortinariaceae. It is commonly known as the bruising webcap.

<i>Cortinarius camphoratus</i> Species of fungus

Cortinarius camphoratus, commonly known as the goatcheese webcap, is an agaric fungus in the family Cortinariaceae. The fungus is found in Europe and North America, where its fruit bodies (mushrooms) grow on the ground in a mycorrhizal association with spruce and firs in coniferous forests. Mushrooms are characterized by pale blue lilac colors when young, and a strong distinctive odor. Sources disagree as to the edibility of the mushroom, but they are generally not recommended for eating.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phlegmacium basorapulum</span> Species of fungus

Phlegmacium basorapulum is a species of truffle-like fungus in the family Cortinariaceae. Found in New South Wales, Australia, the species was described as new to science in 2010.

Phlegmacium boreicyanites is a species of fungus in the family Cortinariaceae

Phlegmacium cremeiamarescens is a species of fungus in the family Cortinariaceae. It was originally described in 2014 by the mycologists Ilkka Kytövuori, Kare Liimatainen and Tuula Niskanen who classified it as Cortinarius cremeiamarescens. It was placed in the of the large mushroom genus Cortinarius. The specific epithet cremeiamarescens refers to the fruitbody colour and the bitter-tasting cap cuticle. Phlegmacium gentianeus is a sister species with which it has been previously confused. It is found in southern Europe and western North America, where it grows in coniferous forests.

<i>Cortinarius erythraeus</i> Species of fungus

Cortinarius erythraeus, sometimes known as the Jammie Dodger, is a basidiomycete fungus of the genus Cortinarius native to Australia.

<i>Phlegmacium glaucopus</i> Species of fungus

Phlegmacium glaucopus is a species of fungus in the family Cortinariaceae. It is commonly known as the blue-foot webcap.

Phlegmacium subfoetidum is a species of mushroom producing fungus in the family Cortinariaceae. It was previously known as Cortinarius subfoetidus.

<i>Cortinarius metallicus</i> Species of fungus

Cortinarius metallicus, originally described as Rozites metallica and commonly known as the steel blue rozites, is a species of mushroom native to Australia.

<i>Cortinarius sublargus</i> Species of fungus

Cortinarius sublargus is a species of fungus in the family Cortinariaceae native to Australia. It was described in 1928 by John Burton Cleland from the Mount Lofty Ranges. Cleland also described Cortinarius radicatus in 1933 from material collected in Willunga Hill, Waitpinga, Mount Lofty, Mount Compass, and Kinchina, Though Cleland regarded them as distinct, later authorities determined them to be the same species. The latter name turned out to be a homonym, having already been given to a different species.

<i>Thaxterogaster austrovaginatus</i> Species of fungus

Thaxterogaster austrovaginatus is a species of ectomycorrhizal fungus in the famlily Cortinariaceae.

Austrocortinarius is a genus of fungi in the family Cortinariaceae.

References

  1. ↑ "GSD Species Synonymy: Cortinarius australiensis (Cleland & Cheel) E. Horak". Species Fungorum. CAB International. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  2. ↑ "Species Fungorum - Austrocortinarius australiensis (Cleland & Cheel) Liimat. & Niskanen". www.speciesfungorum.org. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  3. 1 2 Cleland JB, Cheel EC (1918). "Australian fungi: notes and descriptions. No. 1". Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of South Australia. 42: 90.
  4. ↑ Cleland JB. (1924). "Australian fungi: notes and descriptions. – No. 5". Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of South Australia. 48: 236–52 (see. p. 242).
  5. ↑ "Record Details: Locellina Gillet". Index Fungorum. CAB International. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  6. ↑ Horak E. (1981). "Notes on taxonomy and biogeography of Rozites Karsten". Sydowia. 34: 94–108.
  7. 1 2 Gasparini B. (2007). "Genus Cortinarius, subgenus Phlegmacium in Tasmania". New Zealand Journal of Botany. 45 (1): 155–236. doi: 10.1080/00288250709509711 . Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  8. 1 2 Grey P (2005). Fungi Down Under: The Fungimap Guide to Australian Fungi. Melbourne, Victoria: Royal Botanic Gardens. p. 31. ISBN   0-646-44674-6.
  9. ↑ Liimatainen, Kare; Kim, Jan T.; Pokorny, Lisa; Kirk, Paul M.; Dentinger, Bryn; Niskanen, Tuula (1 January 2022). "Taming the beast: a revised classification of Cortinariaceae based on genomic data". Fungal Diversity. 112 (1): 89–170. doi:10.1007/s13225-022-00499-9. hdl: 2299/25409 . ISSN   1878-9129.
  10. ↑ "Species Fungorum - Austrocortinarius". www.speciesfungorum.org. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Grgurinovic CA. (1997). Larger Fungi of South Australia. Adelaide: State Herbarium of South Australia. pp. 161–62. ISBN   978-0-7308-0737-7.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Bougher NL, Syme K (1998). Fungi of Southern Australia. Nedlands, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. p. 146. ISBN   978-1-875560-80-6.
  13. ↑ Cleland, John B. (1976) [1st pub. 1934]. Toadstools and Mushrooms and Other Larger Fungi of South Australia. Adelaide, South Australia: South Australian Government Printer. p. 100.
  14. ↑ Ratkowsky DA, Gates GM (2005). "An inventory of macrofungi observed in Tasmanian forests over a six-year period" (PDF). Tasforests. 16: 153–68.
  15. ↑ Keane PJ, Kile GA, Podger FD, Brown BN (2000). Diseases and Pathogens of Eucalypts. Csiro Publishing. p. 78. ISBN   978-0-643-09884-8.
  16. ↑ Fuhrer, Bruce (2005). A Field Guide to Australian Fungi. Melbourne, Victoria: Bloomings Books. p. 182. ISBN   1-876473-51-7.
  17. ↑ Dell, Bernard; Havel, J.J.; Malajczuk, N. (2012). The Jarrah Forest: A Complex Mediterranean Ecosystem. New York, New York: Springer Science & Business Media. p. 107. ISBN   978-94-009-3111-4.
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